The Conjuring Last Rites Horror fans turned out in droves this Holy Thursday preview, delivering a franchise‐best $8.5 million for The Conjuring: Last Rites—the highest preview earnings in the Conjuring series history TheWrapIMDb. Riding that momentum, industry analysts now forecast a staggering opening weekend between $60 million and $64 million, which would eclipse the previous high set by 2018’s The Nun at $53.8 million TheWrapSuperHeroHypeboxofficetheory.substack.com.
This final chapter in the Warrens’ story—starring Vera Farmiga (Lorraine), Patrick Wilson (Ed), and introducing Mia Tomlinson as their daughter Judy—is widely expected to conclude the first arc of the Conjuring Universe with a $100 + million domestic theatrical run against a $55 million production budget Wikipedia+1SuperHeroHype.
Critically, the response is mixed. Some reviewers praise its atmospheric tension and emotional closure, awarding it around ★★★★☆ The TimesEW.com, while others argue the scares feel tired and the pacing too sluggish, labeling the installment as underpowered for the series. Rotten Tomatoes currently hovers in the mid-50s to low-60s, with an audience approval near 77 % TheWrap+1SuperHeroHype.
Set in 1986, Last Rites revisits the Smurl haunting, pulling retired demonologists Ed and Lorraine back into action after a cursed mirror reawakens their worst fears—even as their adult daughter Judy faces echoes of her traumatic birth prologue EW.com+1The Times. The film, directed by Michael Chaves and produced by James Wan and Peter Safran, is meant to serve as a heartfelt send‐off to Farmiga and Wilson’s longtime roles EW.com+1.
Despite the mixed reviews, the preview surge and strong advance ticket sales have only fueled speculation in the fan community:
“With those numbers I wouldn’t be surprised if they keep the series going…”
“Nothing else with name recognition is at the cinemas except on its last tail.” Reddit
If Last Rites achieves its projected opening and weekend totals, Warner Bros. will score its seventh straight theatrical release to open over $40 million in 2025—extending a remarkable box-office streak that began earlier this year TheWrap+1.
In summary, The Conjuring: Last Rites is delivering on audience hype: its blistering preview numbers and blockbuster projections offer a triumphant final ride for the Warrens—regardless of what critics say.
